Aikido was founded by Morihei Ueshiba (1883-1969) as a means to bring about harmony between man and nature. Accordingly, O'Sensei, as he came to be called, named this art AI - KI - DO, or "being in harmony with the life force as a way of daily practice."

Through aikido, O'Sensei imagined that he could bring man into harmony with his fellow man.

"Aiki is not a technique to fight with or defeat an enemy. It is a way to reconcile the world and make human beings one family."